SENIORS AWARD PLAQUE TO CONDUCTOR FOR HIS 50 YEARS IN ORCHESTRA MUSIC

To the folks at the Northwest Focal Point Senior Center in Margate, Ben Goldman is THE leader of the band.

For the past six years, Goldman has been waving his magic baton over the Northwest Symphonic Pops Orchestra. Its 80 musicians all are retirees, some from professional music backgrounds. Goldman, a 74-year-old Coconut Creek resident, is their music director and conductor.

Playing to sold-out crowds in the Omni Auditorium, on Broward Community College's north campus in Coconut Creek, the orchestra usually offers three concerts during its winter season. The performance this February was special, though. Goldman celebrated his 50th year in the music industry.

In honor of the event, the orchestra and the Seniors Foundation of Northwest Broward, the orchestra's non-profit administrative body, presented Goldman with a plaque commemorating his efforts. Gov. Bob Graham and his wife, Adele, were unable to attend but sent a letter plus an autographed picture. Stated the Grahams: "We offer our support and encouragement as you continue to bring pleasure to others."

Murray Kirschbaum, president of the foundation, said Goldman and the orchestra are true money-makers for the Northwest Center. Last year alone, the foundation donated $50,000 from concert proceeds.

Goldman was"thrilled" by the presentation, Kirschbaum added. "It was an excellent feeling that after all those things he has done for us, we were able to do something for him."

Although Goldman has had a bright career, Kirschbaum believes his recognition has not been nearly enough. In his 31 years as a music teacher at New York City's Abraham Lincoln High School, many of Goldman's students later became famous names: Neil Sedaka, Neil Diamond, Herbie Mann.

"He's such an unassuming guy," Kirschbaum said. "His whole life is music. I've always told him that the only reason he wasn't a Neil Diamond is that he had teacher-itis."

Pastor Pat Cronin of the First Baptist Church of Deerfield Beach has announced the appointment of Mark R. Smith of Charlestown, Ind., as the church's new minister of education and youth.

Smith, a former student missionary in Nome, Alaska, who initiated a prison ministry for Eskimo and Indian inmates at the Nome Jail, has served in youth ministry for many years.

The Fort Lauderdale High School Class of 1933 will hold its 53rd reunion April 12 at Griffin Park, 2501 SW 52nd St., Fort Lauderdale.

Price per person, including a steak dinner is $5. For reservations, call Clarence Edewaards at 463-0093.

Army Sgt. Clarence Long Jr., son of Katie Long of Pompano Beach, was involved in a NATO-sponsored exercise by participating in the Army's return of forces to Germany and the Air Force's Crested Cap exercises. Long is a graduate of Coconut Creek High School.

The 55 Alive/Mature Driving graduation class at Century Village East in Deerfield Beach has chosen Leonard Schoeneman winner of its Champ Safe Driver Award. In 61 years of driving Schoeneman has never had an accident nor has he received any traffic tickets.

Army Spec. 4 Patricia L. Cooper, daughter of Michael and Rebecca Allen of Margate, took part in a NATO-sponsored exercise wherein Army forces returned to Germany. Airman First Class Gabriel Seraphin Jr., son of Solange Seraphin of North Lauderdale and Garbriel Seraphin of Lauderdale Lakes, has graduated from Air Force basic training at Lackland Air Force Base in Texas. Seraphin is a graduate of Ely High School in Pompano Beach.

Stephen P. Conway, radio personality and certified financial planner, will conduct a free seminar on Investment and Tax Planning Techniques for the Business Executive. The seminar, open to the public, will begin at 4 p.m. Wednesday, at the Radice Corporate Center, 800 Corporate Drive (northeast corner of Cypress Creek Road and Interstate 95) in Fort Lauderdale.

Conway, host of the WIOD weekend radio talk show "The Steve Conway Show," is a member of the Institute of Certified Financial Planners and has served as a consultant to many Fortune 500 companies, including IBM and Garrett Corporation.